Researchers have developed an innovative electronic tattoo that can monitor brain activity for hours without the need for traditional electrodes. The spray-on ink, which is applied to the scalp with a microjet printer, detects electrical signals in the brain and can even pick up data on thicker or curlier hair.
Traditional EEG tests rely on electrodes glued to the scalp, but these can be prone to issues such as hair interference, dry gels, and tangled wires. The new e-tattoos aim to address these problems by applying a liquid polymer ink directly onto the skin of the scalp, which dries to form a durable and reliable sensor.
In tests, the electronic tattoos were found to pick up brain activity with similar accuracy to traditional electrodes, but lasted longer – even after six hours. This breakthrough has significant implications for people with thick or curly hair who have struggled with EEG tests in the past.
The technology also raises possibilities for seamless connections between bodies and computers, and could potentially be used on other body parts such as the heart, bones, and muscles. Further testing is needed to confirm its effectiveness, but the development of e-tattoos like this one marks an exciting step forward in the field of brain-computer interfaces.
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/electronic-tattoos-brain-monitoring